Tbilisi, Georgia:Â 100 years have passed since the birth of world-renowned film artist, genius director and screenwriter Tengiz Abuladze. Tengiz Abuladze was born on January 31, 1924.Â
He was born in Kutaisi. He graduated from the faculty of directing of Shota Rustaveli Theater Institute (G. Tovstonogov’s and D. Aleksidze’s workshop, 1946) and the director department of VGIK (United State Institute of Cinematography) Preparatory Faculty (s. Utkevich’s workshop, 1953). Creative development began with documentaries: “Dimitri Arakishvili” (1952), “Our Palace” (1953), and “Georgian State Dance Ensemble” (1954). He shot the last two films with Revaz Chkheidze.
In 1955, another joint work of Tengiz Abuladze and Revaz Chkheidze was released on the screens – the feature film “Magdana’s Blue” (according to the story of Ekaterine Gabashvili), a realistic and poetic tale from the life of ordinary inhabitants of the Georgian village in the early 20th century, which brought international recognition to the authors of the film.
The central theme of this movie – the conflict of unprotected kindness with a confident, rough force- is followed by a light motive in the work of Abuladze.
The artist’s protest against violence, tyranny, and the destruction of human dignity is expressed with particular severity in his genius film trilogy, which consists of films – “Begging” (according to Vazha-Pshavela’s works, 1967), “Tree of Wish” (according from the stories of Giorgi Leonidze (1976) and “Monanieba” (1984). In the movie “Begging,” the author’s judgment of good and evil, of a person and society, and the artist’s responsibility found reflection. “Vedreba” was awarded the main prize in 1974 – Grand Prix at the XVII International Film Festival of San Remo.
The second film of the trilogy – “Tree of Wish” in 1977, was awarded the main prize and diploma at the X Union Film Festival; in 1977, at the VI International Film Festival of Tehran, the Special Jury Prize “Golden Booth” for the best director, in 1978 – the prize of the Czechoslovakia-USSR Friendship Society and the prize of Karlovy-Vari XXI International Film Festival, and in 1979 the International Film Festival held in Italy Oriso At the competition – prize Donatello’s “David”. In the same year, the film was awarded the Rustaveli State Prize. In 1983, at the Kabur (France) I International Romantic Film Festival, it was awarded the International Film Press Federation Award “Fipress”.
The third film of the trilogy – “Repentance” – is a philosophically conceived and saved experience of the Soviet totalitarian past, the drama of a man left in the face of violence, the tyrant and the artist, the uncompromising struggle of good and evil. The film was awarded three prizes at the 40th Cannes International Film Festival: the Special Prize of the Main Jury, the Catholic Church Jury Prize for Humanism and the International Film Press Federation Award “Pipress”; in 1987, the film was awarded the Chicago and Hughesun International Film Festival Awards. In 1988, “Monania” was awarded by the National Association of Italian Cinematographers as the best foreign film. In 1988, the director was awarded one of the highest awards of the USSR for the trilogy – Lenin Prize.
In 1958, Tengiz Abuladze filmed the drama “Other People’s Children” (n. Based on the motives of Alexandrova’s newspaper Narkvevi) – a lyrical story about a man, his spiritual wealth and moral responsibility, which was new to Georgian cinema from a polyphonic perspective of dramatic conflict.
In films of the following period, the director turned to literary works whose universe is based on national humour and folk wisdom. Filmed the lyrical comedy “Me, Grandma, Iliko and Ilarioni” (according to the story of Nodar Dumbadze, 1962), which depicts the life of Guria villagers during the Second World War and after its end, describing the beauty of sincere human relations.
Tengiz Abuladze created a fun fairytale world of adventures in the film “Jewel for My Serminazi” (according to Akhmedkhan Abubakar’s story – “Necklace for my Sarminazi”, 1971).
Tengiz Abuladze’s films are distinguished by their high cinematic culture. His style is characterized by articulate, poetic, and, simultaneously, a plastic solution to documentary, thinking with philosophical metaphors and similar stories.
Tengiz Abuladze contributed significantly to the development of Georgian cinema, widened its aesthetic horizon and established a distinctive place among Europe’s prominent filmmakers.
Tengiz Abuladze was also a teacher. From 1974 until the end of his life, he led the director’s workshop at the Film Faculty of the Theatre Institute, was a member of the European Film Academy, and was an Honorary Professor of the Austrian Academy of Fine Arts. A documentary film was shot about him – “Tengiz Abuladze – Dream Tree” (director N. Janelidze, 2002 ).
For information: Celebrating 100 years since the birth of prominent Georgian director – Tengiz Abuladze – National Cinema Center will present a retrospective on January 28-31. Film shows will be held in the cinema of the National Archive of Georgia (attendance is free).
The project “Tengiz Abuladze – 100” partners are the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Georgia and the National Archive of Georgia.
Viewers will see restored versions of Tengiz Abuladze’s films with English subtitles. Georgian Ministry of Culture and Sports honours Tengiz Abuladze’s bright memory and immense contribution to the development of Georgian culture.
